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#GuestPost: HOW TO KEEP ROLLING AFTER A FALL by Karole Cozzo

We all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are tiny, like forgetting to close the fridge door or accidentally using a tablespoon of sugar instead of a teaspoon. Sometimes they’re a lot bigger. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I’ve also been hit by the consequences of other people’s mistakes.

Something I’ve been thinking of for a while now is second chances and forgiveness. Cozzo’s book, How to Keep Rolling After a Fall, examines the idea of forgiveness, and whether everyone deserves redemption. I wanted to know more about whether the author herself believed in second chances, and she wrote this amazing guest post in response, with the added bonus of a book recommendation!

So sit back and read a bit about her book before reading her thoughts on the matter. If you’re in the US or Canada, you can also win a copy of the book!

About How to Keep Rolling After a Fall by Karole Cozzo

Published by: Swoon Reads

Publication date: August 2nd 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

After a cyber bullying incident turns her life upside down, a handsome wheelchair rugby player shows a former mean girl that everyone deserves a second chance.

The party was at her house. The photos were posted to her Facebook account. That’s all the evidence anyone needed to condemn Nikki Baylor for a cyberbullying incident that humiliated a classmate and nearly resulted in the girl’s suicide. Now Nikki’s been expelled from her old school, her friends have abandoned her, and even her own parents can’t look her in the eye. With her plans for the future all but destroyed, Nikki resigns herself to being the girl everyone hates – almost as much as she hates herself. But then Nikki meets Pax, a spirited wheelchair rugby player who knows what it’s like when one mistake completely shatters your life. Refusing to judge her because of her past, he shows her that everyone deserves a second chance… and everyone deserves to be loved.

Karole Cozzo on Second Chances

I thought about this question for a good long while before sitting down to put the proverbial pen to paper. Ultimately, I decided I couldn’t give an outright answer of “yes,” even though How To Keep Rolling After a Fall certainly espouses the idea that second chances should be given. Outside of the fictional world, however, there are too many caveats to that idea, too many scenarios in today’s world where I can’t justify the notion that everyone deserves a second chance, everyone deserves the opportunity to turn to a fresh page and begin anew with family, friends, and people in general.

I am, however, much quicker to endorse the idea that in most scenarios, people deserve forgiveness. And I guess in making this point I’m referencing the adage “forgive but don’t necessarily forget.” I believe if we’re being honest with ourselves, it can be really, really challenging to try to tackle that “forget” piece. It can feel nearly impossible at times to look at someone in the same way, or give them a clean slate, after they’ve wounded us. And with that being said, I think it’s important to challenge ourselves to strive for forgiveness nonetheless.

In truth, the reason why sometimes has little to do with the other person. It has to do with ultimate peace of mind and moving forward with our lives. The toxic anger and pain left behind, if we choose to harbor it instead of letting it go, is a burden we carry on our own backs. It consumes energy and wastes precious time we don’t have to spare. So for this reason, I’m a big fan of the idea of forgiving for our own sakes. Sometimes, I believe that when we think we’re punishing someone else, we’re actually punishing ourselves. We might come to the realization that a relationship is damaged beyond repair to its previous state. However, I think there’s a space between restoring a relationship and severing ties completely, and by seeking that space, we’re showing compassion not only to the other person, but also to ourselves.

My absolute favorite book that illustrates this concept is Something Blue by Emily Giffin, which is the follow-up to Something Borrowed. Talk about the complicated dynamics of “right” and “wrong!” In Something Borrowed, even though Rachel is the character carrying on a secret affair with her bff’s fiancée, Darcy (said bff) is so self-absorbed and needy, a reader might find herself torn about whom ultimately deserves happiness in the story. And when the truth comes to light and Darcy skips the country at the start of Something Blue, it’s easy to believe there’s little hope for her redemption. She seems to be repeating old patterns and running from her problems rather than changing anything about her habits. The character growth that Giffin depicts is so authentic and moving, you find yourself cheering for the character you previously loved to hate. That’s a writing accomplishment right there, and the makings of a stellar story! And in the end, Rachel and Darcy meet in that space between their previous friendship and eternal bitterness. The scene is a fabulous and moving illustration of the peace that comes from meeting in that middle.

Giveaway (US/CAN)

About Karole Cozzo

Karole lives outside of Philadelphia, PA with her loving husband, exuberant little girl, and smiley little boy. She adores YA Romance, because it would be awesome if life in general had a requisite feel-good happy ending rule. Vices include obscene Haribo gummy consumption, addiction to Starbucks NF vanilla lattes, and tendency to hoard Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles.

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